Boise has seen excellent progress in the areas of economic vitality, accountability in government and quality of life during the past two years, and the people of the city deserve much of the credit, Mayor David Bieter said today.

In his mid-term report released this morning, Bieter praised city employees, elected officials and citizens for working together “to preserve the city’s most precious assets so that growth, when it comes, does so on the community’s terms.”

“Two years ago, Boise’s citizens chose a new direction at City Hall, a direction guided by a promise to enhance our community’s economic health, to protect our incomparable environment and livability, and most of all to build a local government that constantly strives to earn the people’s trust,” Bieter wrote in the report. “As we pass the midway point of this administration, I’m pleased to report major accomplishments in all three areas.”

“Working with businesses, services groups and citizens, we’ve cut regulatory red tape, developed new partnerships to support youth and expand housing opportunities, and directed resources toward neighborhood needs,” he wrote. “With strong direction from our City Council and the incomparable support of our city employees, we’ve brought structural stability to the city budget, focused resources on our core missions, and established the state’s first municipal ethics commission.”

In the report, the mayor cites substantial progress in six separate areas:

• “Living within our means” through creation of a business plan for city government, a structurally balanced budget, and a strong push for property tax relief.
• “Ensuring economic vitality” by attracting and retaining high-wage employers, streamlining the permits and inspections process, and taking the lead on the Blueprint for Good Growth effort.
• “Protecting livability” by emphasizing public safety; funding more police, parks and youth programs; and working to improve valley air quality.
• “Keeping City Hall accountable” with new department leadership, the enhanced ethics and whistle-blower protection policies, and greater involvement by city employees in policy issues.
• “Making government accessible” through neighborhood meetings, live City Council broadcasts on cable TV and the Web, and a regular citizen survey.
• “Providing leadership” by working for enhanced transit services, collaborating with Boise State University on economic development and other programs, and addressing the need for community detox programs.

“I invite all Boiseans to join me in building on these successes in the years to come,” Bieter said.

Copies of “Ensuring a Livable Future: Mayor David Bieter’s Mid-Term Report to the People of Boise” are available for download at www.cityofboise.org/Departments/Mayor .